Monday, November 7, 2011

Eid Mubarak!

Muslims all over the world are celebrating Eid al-Adha this weekend, including the largely Sunni majority in Bangladesh. In Bangladesh the festival is also known as Qurbani Eid, which roughly translates to 'Festival of Sacrifice' or 'Feast of Sacrifice'. The holiday is celebrated on the tenth day of the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar and commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to show his obedience to God.

Many Muslims mimic Abraham's eventual sacrifice of a ram by sacrificing a domestic animal, in Bangladesh often a cow or a goat. The meat from the animal is divided into thirds: One third kept by the immediate family, One third given to extended family, relatives, friends and neighbors, and One third donated to the less fortunate.

Trains and Buses have been packed with residents leaving Dhaka to spend the holiday in their home villages with extended family. Whether in the city or the countryside, the holiday will be celebrated with communal prayers and large family feasts. Family and Food, not so different from another holiday to be celebrated in November, American Thanksgiving!